In our Bible reading plan, we come now to the story of Uzzah. [2 Samuel 5-7] The ark of the covenant was being transported in a cart. This was not the way it was supposed to be carried. God instructed that the ark of the covenant should be carried by the Levites using long poles inserted through rings on its sides, and they were not to touch the holy things directly. God specified this measure to ensure proper reverence and obedience to God’s commands.
When one of the oxen stumbled, the ark looked like it was going to fall. Uzzah perhaps thought he was doing God a favor by keeping it from tipping in the mud.
But, God’s reaction was not, “Thank you, Uzzah, how thoughtful!” Instead, God killed Uzzah instantly.
Uzzah believed that he would be protecting the ark, saving it from desecration. However, mud is just dirt and water doing what God designed it to do. The mud is “obeying God.” Mud is not sinful.
God’s law was NOT meant to keep the ark pure from mud, but from the dirty, sinful touch of a human hand.
Uzzah presumed his hands were more pure than the dirt. God said a resounding, “NOT!”
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